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Tuesday, October 19, 2004

Sick of the "War" on terror

The one thing that has always unsettled me is that people tend to think too much in simplistic terms. Good Vs. Evil. Black Vs. White. America Vs. Bad Guys. This also goes to the Sept 11 attacks. When journalists and Americans talk of how 9/11 "fundamentally changed the world", it sometimes palls on you. It is this fundamental idea that somehow the happenings in America are going to "change the world" and so we should "crusade" to protect the world that is nauseating to many around the globe. It is not as though terrorism was born after 9/11. Terrorism has tormented millions before 9/11, continues now and will continue to do so in the future. Millions lose their lives to explosives and misguided ideologies everyday. Lives, infrastructure, dreams, hopes are shattered by terrorists. In India, we have terrorist attacks everyday in Kashmir. The 1993 blasts in Mumbai, Parliament attack in 2002, the Swaminarayan Temple affair in Gujarat, LTTE attacks in TN, recently the attacks near the Taj hotel in Mumbai........ the list is long and weary. So many Indians lost their lives. But then, we are supposed to respond in a "mature" fashion. Even when there is a blatant attack like Kargil, we are supposed to practice "restraint" and "caution" and act "wisely". Oh no, India can't attack anyone like the mighty US can at will. I mention the case of India because I am Indian. I am sure every other country has the same problems.
The point I am trying to make is that 9/11 did not herald the birth of terrorism. It merely struck home forcefully. So people should stop acting like it is a fundamental world-changing event. America is a nation well-protected by its natural boundaries. It has fought all wars abroad, none at home. And politicians grew complacent in that fact and pursued policies they knew wouldn't have any physical, literal impact back home. Well, 9/11 just proved that wrong. The message it sent was: You think you are invincible at home? Well, no more. When journalists say that the effect of 9/11 was more psychological than anything else, it is so true. Well, immediately America had to be seen as taking action and now we are in the middle of a big mess in Iraq and Afghanistan and none the safer for it. The "caution", "restraint" and the "maturity"...where did they all go when home is attacked and the blood that is shed is one's own??!!!
9/11 was bad. 3500 innocent lives were lost which is really upsetting. But it is not such a life-altering event for others around the globe who are used to such devastating losses. So Bush and others should stop pretending they can't understand why there is anger against Bush the world over. Terrorism is real, yes. You got to know of it only now.
As for myself, I am sick of hearing about this topic. It is like nothing else is more important. As Ian Malcolm put it so aptly in Jurassic Park, "Life will find a way".

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

The 1993 blasts in Mumbai, Parliament attack in 2002, the Swaminarayan Temple affair in Gujarat, LTTE attacks in TN, recently the attacks near the Taj hotel in Mumbai... agreed. i feel sorry for it. In all of these situations india acted in a mature fashion (if that is what you implied)... Agreed. But has there been any mature "action" being taken but for the bus service and social crap we have been doing all along after such incidents?? India knows it... it will be a heavy loss that both of us cant bear even if we go on to fight for a just cause.
Coming back to the 9/11, what should have been the US reaction... sit quiet and watch? now dont bring the inspector's thing... too early at this pt oof discussion. u poke my eye with a needle... am not just going to the hospital and tie a bandage... but after doing that am goin to break the needle that caused me that thing. hold ur thought... u r asking if am going to find and break all the needles. i know its impossible... thats the reason i am going to go after that guy who uses them against me. now i have to deal with less to get more... u know... the root cause and shit... anyway... the point is... eye for an eye and ear for an ear... that works the best in current world. we can change attitudes and reply back with polite and modereate responses to someone who has massacred my family until a messiah is born. thats just my "tip of my iceberg" feeling for having to show sympathy for mass murderers. kill them all suckers!!!

Anonymous said...

The 1993 blasts in Mumbai, Parliament attack in 2002, the Swaminarayan Temple affair in Gujarat, LTTE attacks in TN, recently the attacks near the Taj hotel in Mumbai... agreed. i feel sorry for it. In all of these situations india acted in a mature fashion (if that is what you implied)... Agreed. But has there been any mature "action" being taken but for the bus service and social crap we have been doing all along after such incidents?? India knows it... it will be a heavy loss that both of us cant bear even if we go on to fight for a just cause.
Coming back to the 9/11, what should have been the US reaction... sit quiet and watch? now dont bring the inspector's thing... too early at this pt oof discussion. u poke my eye with a needle... am not just going to the hospital and tie a bandage... but after doing that am goin to break the needle that caused me that thing. hold ur thought... u r asking if am going to find and break all the needles. i know its impossible... thats the reason i am going to go after that guy who uses them against me. now i have to deal with less to get more... u know... the root cause and shit... anyway... the point is... eye for an eye and ear for an ear... that works the best in current world. we can change attitudes and reply back with polite and modereate responses to someone who has massacred my family until a messiah is born. thats just my "tip of my iceberg" feeling for having to show sympathy for mass murderers. kill them all suckers!!!

Anonymous said...

oops..
sent twice...was the first time here
sorry
"icame isaw i wrote"